RailEnquiry

JAMSHEDPUR: The long-standing demand of passengers from the three districts of Kolhan division was fulfilled on Monday with the start of Tatanagar-Gua diesel multiple unit (DMU) passenger train.The Up train (no 78033) will depart from Tatanagar junction at 3:15pm everyday and reach Gua junction at 6:40pm, covering a distance of about 147km. On the return journey, the Dn train (no 78034) will depart from Gua at 6:55pm and arrive here at 10:30pm.The train with eight rakes will halt at 16 stations including prominent junctions Adityapur, Gamharia, Sini, Rajkharswan, Chaibasa and Dangoaposi, among others, between the originating station and final destination."We have introduced the train on trial basis for a three-month period. Train service will be available to the passengers for all six (working) days expect Sunday," said K N Biswas, senior commercial divisional manager of Chakradharpur railway division. Several commuters expressed happiness over the introduction of an additional train to the mineral-rich district."The daily passenger density on the existing local trains between Tatanagar and Gua has increased over the last few years. Therefore, the introduction of an additional train on this route has come as relief to the passengers," said Suresh Sonthalia, member of the Zonal Railway Users Consultative Committee.

At present two passenger trains - Tatanagar - Gua passenger train (Up 58109) that departs from here at 7:50am every morning and Tatanagar - Barbil passenger train (Up 58103) that departs at 5:00pm everyday are the only trains for local passengers.

Besides, Barbil-bound Janshatabadi Express that departs from Tatanagar at 9:55am carries passengers from here to Badajamada and beyond.

"If the railways had scheduled the return journey of the new train (from Gua) in the early hours of the next morning instead of the present (6:55pm) hours then it would have benefited the passengers more because passengers travelling towards Tatanagar have the option of two trains (Gua - Tatanagar Dn 58110 and Barbil Howrah Janshatabadi Ex Dn 12022) back-to-back in the evening hours," said 38-year-old government teacher Ambika Soren who travels to Tatanagar from Chaibasa everyday for work.

According to some passengers, the return journey of the new train will not help them in catching important long-distance trains namely Purushottam Superfast Express, Neelanchal Superfast Express and Bilaspur passenger train, among other trains, travelling from Tatanagar.

"Depending on the response of the passengers return journey, the schedule could be revised," said Biswas.